Description
Irresistible Mediterranean Pasta Salad brings zesty flavors dancing across your plate with colorful ingredients that sing of summer’s warmth. Crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and herb-infused dressing create a perfect harmony you’ll crave from first delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) rotini or any medium pasta shape
- 2/3 cup (160 ml) crumbled feta cheese
- 1 medium English cucumber, chopped
- 1 pint (475 ml) grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 small bell pepper, chopped
Vegetable and Garnish Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) finely diced red onion or sliced green onions
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) chopped fresh parsley
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml) Italian dressing
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil at high heat. Submerge the pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until perfectly al dente, then immediately drain and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process and rapidly cool the pasta.
- During pasta cooking, meticulously prepare vegetables by dicing cucumber into uniform cubes, halving grape tomatoes, chopping bell pepper into consistent bite-sized pieces, and finely mincing red onion or green onions for optimal distribution.
- Select a spacious mixing bowl and transfer the cooled pasta. Gently incorporate all prepared vegetables, ensuring an even mixture throughout the pasta base.
- Drizzle Italian dressing generously over the pasta and vegetable mixture, thoroughly tossing to guarantee complete coating. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley, distributing the herbs evenly for enhanced flavor profile and vibrant visual appeal.
- Carefully season the salad with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to personal taste preferences. Delicately fold in crumbled feta cheese, maintaining its structural integrity while integrating it smoothly into the salad.
- Refrigerate the completed pasta salad for a minimum of two hours, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify. The chilling period enables ingredients to meld, creating a more cohesive and robust taste experience. Serve thoroughly chilled for maximum enjoyment.
Notes
- Rinse pasta thoroughly to prevent sticking and ensure a perfectly separated, refreshing cold salad texture.
- Choose whole wheat or gluten-free pasta options to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising taste or texture.
- Let the salad marinate longer than two hours for intensified flavor absorption, potentially overnight for maximum taste development.
- Consider adding protein like grilled chicken, chickpeas, or canned tuna to transform this side dish into a complete, satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg